It seems yes is the answer to the question of whether Battlefield 3 will require the use of EA's new Origin service, even for users who purchase a physical copy of DICE's upcoming military shooter sequel. A question on Twitter directed at Global Battlefield Community Manager Daniel Matros asked "If we get the DVD version of BF3 do we still have to use Origin?" This was followed by another attempt, asking: "What about the rumors spreading on the forums that we need origin to play BF3 if we have the DVD?" These inspired the following reply: "Yes those 'rumors' are true :)." Thanks Teddy via BF3Blog.

Origin popping up and displaying stuff each time I started playing was also annoying. I eventually just dragged the window mostly off screen and left it there.

You can disable that somewhere in the Origin options I believe.

In the alpha feedback, I complained about having to install 4 pieces of software just to play. Browser plugin, Origin, the alpha itself and I think the last was a 2nd piece of browser software. I also didn't like having to start the game from the browser. You couldn't just launch with a simple desktop icon.

Yeah, I went on a pretty amusing rant in the post-alpha survey. 2 browser plugins, Origin, and battlelog is just too much. They need to improve that process somehow. It also bounces you around which is just bad design. Launching the game in Origin launches battlog which launches Origin which launches BF3 for example. I couldn't run bf3.exe by itself either but I guess we know why now.

I think that's pretty naive, but then I guess we shall see in the long run.

There's nothing naive about it, just reading what people are saying. Naive would be just assuming you know the outcome when there are far too many factors in play to have any idea right now.

In the alpha feedback, I complained about having to install 4 pieces of software just to play. Browser plugin, Origin, the alpha itself and I think the last was a 2nd piece of browser software. I also didn't like having to start the game from the browser. You couldn't just launch with a simple desktop icon.

Origin popping up and displaying stuff each time I started playing was also annoying. I eventually just dragged the window mostly off screen and left it there.

Verno wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 18:47:I don't know any such thing. I'm actually surprised at the majority of the responses I've seen so far being fairly frustrated and the fact that its making people rethink the game.

I think that's pretty naive, but then I guess we shall see in the long run. In any case anyone who played Bad Company 2 or Battlefield 2 already has an EA account, which is the same thing as an Origin account. There is no new account to get here, just a client download which honestly for a multiplayer game is a good thing.

entr0py wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 18:47:I don't entirely buy the slippery slope argument. They can get away with it because it's a fantastic game. The same was true of Half-Life 2 back in the day. But if Origin integration hurts other releases that aren't guaranteed blockbusters, I think EA will be smart enough to notice.

Yeah you might have thought the same would have been the case for ubi too. Nope, after the first game with ubi crazy DRM they said they were going to do all future games that way too.

Gadzooks wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 18:34:Technically what you see in steam IS the web. Just inside of the steam client, rather than directly through IE, Firefox, Chrome or whatever other browser you use. So yes, when you want to play HL2, you are opening the steam web browser to play it first, even if it is minimized in the systray.

Yeah but hl2 doesn't require a separate web plugin running on a browser outside of steam. It also doesn't require you to even be online (although it is mostly a single player game).

And that's exactly what EA is counting on. They are going to take it as a sign they can keep on in this direction.

I don't entirely buy the slippery slope argument. They can get away with it because it's a fantastic game. The same was true of Half-Life 2 back in the day. But if Origin integration hurts other releases that aren't guaranteed blockbusters, I think EA will be smart enough to notice.

StingingVelvet wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 18:15:If consumers really hate it as much as you think then they won't give in to it and it will quickly die, but you and me both know that isn't going to happen,

I don't know any such thing. I'm actually surprised at the majority of the responses I've seen so far being fairly frustrated and the fact that its making people rethink the game.

As for your job thing, spend the $20 or whatever it is on RoboForm. It is a literal godsend for that shit. Better yet just try to get HR contacts and email them directly.

Have they confirmed that the server browser is web-only somewhere, or are people just making inferences from the alpha?

When asked directly "Is there going to be an in-game server browser?" Dice replied "Battlelog is essential to the BF3 experience". So it's looking incredibly doubtful at best. They wouldn't put the resources into designing two different server browsers.

And yes to whoever asked, Battlelog not only requires Origin but it also has a mandatory web plugin installation. I can only imagine the fun EA could have with that.

JaguarUSF wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 18:06:Half-Life 2 requires Steam.Battlefield 3 requires Origin.Am I the only one who really doesn't care about this?

Half-Life 2 doesn't require me to open a fucking web page to play it.

Technically what you see in steam IS the web. Just inside of the steam client, rather than directly through IE, Firefox, Chrome or whatever other browser you use. So yes, when you want to play HL2, you are opening the steam web browser to play it first, even if it is minimized in the systray.

I think many companies realize that it's an employers market, and they'd rather have you do the shit job of entering your resume into their database format over having someone under their employ paid to actually read it.

StingingVelvet wrote on Aug 11, 2011, 17:50:Have you been job hunting lately? You literally have to make a new account for every single fucking job you apply for.

Ur doing it wrong.

Creston

Hey if you have a tip let me know, it's driving me insane. A lot of good jobs are simple resume emails, but I'm trying to get anything I can right now and shitty jobs all require making an account on some shitty store's website.

This really doesn't concern me as much as the Diablo 3 story, as BF3 is an online MP game which you need the internet connection for anyway.

Yeah, it blows. Kinda in the same way as Quake:ET's player registration did, but, whatever.

That said, I've put BF3 on my "unwanted" list. No real interest in having GFWL, Steam, *AND* some other new client (and all it's growing pains) to trod through just to shoot at people on a virtual battlefield. Plenty of other non-DRM, non-account-requiring options out there to choose from.